Results 3,921-3,940 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Income Tax Ready Reckoner for 2010. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in view of the relatively limited purpose that would be served in updating the pre-Budget 2010 Ready Reckoner to a post Budget basis, they have no plans to devote resources to carrying out this relatively significant task. The need for it is further reduced this year...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that information submitted by businesses in regard to employee details is confidential to the businesses and employees concerned. It is not clear that the Deputy is making representations on behalf of the employer or employees concerned and accordingly Revenue is not in a position to provide the information requested.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The toxic loans in the Irish banking system are land and development loans and these are not the type of business that would be separated out by the proposals made by the Deputy. With regard to future regulatory changes, the Government is reforming the institutional structures for financial regulation to prevent a recurrence of inappropriate and unsustainable business practices in the...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A number of initiatives have been taken to secure efficiencies and to maximise value for money in public procurement. For example, my Department establishes and manages framework arrangements for the purchase of personal computers (desktops and laptops), colour and mono printers, mobile telephony services, a Government Communications Network for voice, data and video and associated products...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant historical information available on the incomes of employees taxed under the PAYE system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2007. Accordingly earnings data for public sector employees in respect of 2009 and 2010 is not currently available. While public servants on a salary in excess of €40,000...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In Budget 2010, I announced that I would be extending mortgage interest relief up to the end of 2017 for those whose entitlement to relief was due to end in 2010 or after. I should point out that this measure does not extend to those who took out qualifying loans in 2003. While circumstances and house prices differ, it is necessary to select a cut-off point in these matters. House prices...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that on 19 April 2007 a Deed of Transfer for the transfer of property to the persons concerned was received by Dublin Stamping District together with a payment €189,900. To date, Revenue has not received an application for the refund of this stamp duty. A valid claim for the repayment should be submitted within 4 years from the date the instrument...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the 2008 Self Assessed Income Tax return of the named person was received on 9th December 2009. The due date for this return was 31st October 2009. Large quantities of Income Tax returns received before the due date are currently being processed in order that taxpayers, who lodged their returns on time, will receive their Notice of Assessment...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. I announced in the Budget that a carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne is being introduced on fossil fuels. The tax was applied to petrol and auto-diesel with effect from midnight, 9 December 2009; and will apply from 1 May 2010 to kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as 'green diesel' or 'agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas...

Written Answers — Mortgage Debt: Mortgage Debt (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. The Deputy will be aware of the supports in place for those homeowners who are in difficulty with their mortgage repayments, including the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, the Mortgage Interest Subsidy Scheme and the services provided by the Money Advice Budgeting Services, all of which I have spoken about extensively in this House...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have informed the House previously that I have discussed the issue of private sector investment in the banks with senior executives of the credit institutions covered by the bank guarantee. I understand that some institutions have engaged in such discussions with representatives of potential investors. To date, none of these discussions have resulted in any detailed investment proposal....

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency : National Asset Management Agency (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The NAMA draft business plan published in October 2009, was prepared by the interim NAMA team for the purpose of outlining the background to NAMA and the manner in which it will carry out its functions and duties. It is important to emphasise that much of the information regarding the prospective NAMA portfolio included in this draft Business Plan is based on aggregate data which had been...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency : National Asset Management Agency (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Treasury Management Agency has engaged various firms for advice in regard to the National Asset Management Agency. I have been advised by the NTMA that successful firms priced the work at a substantial discount to win the business. The costs to be borne in 2010 include detailed due diligence costs which are recoverable from the participating institutions as part of the valuation...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Applicants from outside the public sector are considered for the filling of top posts at Assistant Secretary and Second Secretary General level in the Department. Applicants from outside the public sector are not considered for the posts of Secretary General and Secretary General, Public Service Management and Development in the Department as these appointments are made by the Government...

Written Answers — Judicial Remuneration: Judicial Remuneration (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In its report late last year, the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector concluded that the Constitution precluded them from recommending a reduction in judicial pay. Had they not been so precluded, they would have considered a downward adjustment. For the same reason the pension levy was not applied to the judiciary, though many judges have contributed an amount on a...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Recapitalisation: Banking Sector Recapitalisation (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy may be aware, on 30 November last Anglo Irish Bank submitted its Restructuring Plan to the European Commission. This was a condition for State aid approval of the bank's recapitalisation in 2009. The Restructuring Plan considers all options for the future of the bank. The submission of the plan marked the beginning of a detailed and comprehensive evaluation process in advance...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that a number of interested parties have indicated an interest in becoming shareholders in the NAMA Master SPV. This is an issue for the Board of NAMA who advise me that they are in advanced discussions with a number of interested parties.

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The two building societies referred to by the Deputy are independent financial institutions. Accordingly, subject to the requirements and conditions of the Building Societies Act, any question of a merger is a matter in the first instance for the two societies. In that regard, both societies have stated that they have commenced negotiations regarding a possible merger and which, I am...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that under the NAMA Act I will shortly be issuing guidelines to ensure that SMEs, sole traders and farm enterprises will have recourse to an independent, external review of decisions of credit refusal by the NAMA participating banks. I hope that banks not participating in NAMA or covered by the Government guarantee will also decide to join the system. My aim is to have a...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Recapitalisation: Banking Sector Recapitalisation (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no provision in the recapitalisation agreements for the conversion of the preference shares into ordinary shares. The bank can repurchase at par up to the fifth anniversary of the issue and thereafter at 125% of par. As I have indicated before, the Government is open to the possibility of further recapitalising the banks concerned, if this is required, and any conversion options...